Mike Lazaridis, founder, president and co-CEO of Research In Motion (RIM), will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree from McMaster University’s Faculty of Engineering at its spring convocation. Lazaridis will also address the 550 undergraduate, Master’s and PhD engineering students at the convocation ceremony to be held June 9, 2005, 2:30 p.m., in the Great Hall at Hamilton Place.

“Mr. Lazaridis reflects the talent, abilities and opportunities we have in Canada to develop products and services that can compete internationally,” said Peter George, president, McMaster University. “He and RIM also demonstrate how successfully the private sector and post-secondary education can work together to produce our next generation of business, technology and community leaders.”

Lazaridis is known in the global wireless community as a visionary, innovator and engineer of extraordinary talent. Since founding RIM in 1984, he has earned many patents and dozens of industry and community awards for his innovations. The company’s BlackBerryÂ® wireless solution created a new category of technology products and has become the industry standard.

“Mr. Lazaridis’ achievements are an inspiration,” said Mo Elbestawi, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, McMaster University. “He reflects what can be accomplished through vision, inventiveness, dedication and determination. He also demonstrates the role engineering plays in developing a strong and vibrant society. RIM has been a strong supporter of the faculty.”

McMaster University, named Canada’s Research University of the Year by Research InfoSource, has world-renowned faculty, and state-of-the-art research facilities. McMaster’s culture of innovation fosters a commitment to discovery and learning in teaching, research and scholarship. Based in Hamilton, the University has a student population of more than 23,000, with more than 112,000 alumni in 128 countries.